Gear-shifting device



May 11 1926.

W. F. MOTTIER GEAR SHIFTING DEVICE Filed Feb.l1, 1924 2 Sheeis-Shee'll 1 May 11 1926. 1,583,989

F. MOTTIER GEAR SHI'FTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 11, 1926.

WALTER F. MOTTIER, OF EL` CAMPO, TEXAS.

GEAR-SHIFTING DEVICE.

Application filed February 1, 1924. Serial No. 690,095.

','l`his invention relates to new and useful improvements in a gear shifting device.

)ne object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described through which the gears of a transmission may be easily7 shifted to obtain different relative rates of speed between the driving and driven members of the t ansmission Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, embodying` a selective mechanism through which the desired gear ratio may be selected, a clutch actuating pedal, and a mechanism actuated by said pedal through which the desired gear ratio is selected, and the transmission gear shifted to obtain the desired` gear combination.

A further feature of the invention resides in the combination of a preliminary gear selective mechanism, a clutch actuating and gear selecting pedal, and a gear shifting mechanism arranged to be actuated by said pedal through which combination the mechanism for the desired gear ratio may be partially aligned in advance, and the clutch disengaged and the alignment of the mechanism for the gear selection completed, and the selected gear combination obtained by manipulation of said pedal.

iVith the above and other objects in view, this invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein z- Figure 1 shows plan view of the device, partly in section.

Figure 2 shows a rear view `of the transmission case, with the gear shifting mechanism applied thereto.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view gear shifting shaft, and shifting therefor; and,

Figure 5 shows a sectional view transmission mechanism.

Referring' now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 1 designates'the transmission case of the ordinary motor vehicle, slidably mounted in which are the gear shifting rods 2, 2. The transmission gearing in the case '1 is of the ordinary type.

of the means of the This invention has to do with the shifting mechanism only, and is not concerned with the particular type of transmission with which the vehicle is equipped.

The numeral 3 designates the steering column and the numeral 4 refers to the steering wheel mounted thereon. There is a transverse clutch actuating shaft 5 which may be actuated by the foot pedal 6, fixed thereon.

Adjacent the transmission case, and elevated slightly above it, there is a housing` with the transverse rocker shafts 8, 8, mounted therein. Fixed en these respective shafts are the intermeshing cam members 9, 9, of a construction, and provided for a purpose, hereinafter explained. Fixed upon the outer ends of these shafts 8 are the intermeshing spur gears 10 and 11, the latter of which is thicker than, and extends outwardly beyond the former, and arranged underneath and in mesh with the extended portion of the gear 11 there is a rack member 12 which rides on a suitable bearing 13. rlhe forward end of this rack member has a transverse slot 14 and lfixed to the clutch shaft 5 there is an arm 15. r1`he free end of this arm has a bearing pin 16 which works through the slot 14.. The pin 16 normally rests at the rear end of the slot 14 and the rear end of the rack member 12 rests against the stop 17. l/'Vhen the pedal 6 is depressed the clutch will first be disengaged, the pin 16 traveling in the slot 14:; a further pressure on the pedal 6 will cause a forward movement of the rack member 12, causing a consequent rotation of the gears 10 and 11, causing the cam members 9 to open, or swing` around out of mesh. At the same time the vpull springl 18 lattached at its respective ends to the housing' 7 and the rack members 12, will be placed under tension, and

when the pedalt is released this pull spring` will anse a reverse motion of the rack member 12, causing the cam members 9 to swing together and intermesh.

The numerals 19 and 20, respectively,

designate the shift yokes which are formedV with end bearings 21, 22 and 23, 241, respectively, loosely mounted en the .shift rod 25. Fastened to the bearings 22 and 2st, respectively, and depending therefrom, are the shift arms 26 and 27, respectively, which work through suitable slots in the top of the transmission easel and have connection, in the conventional manner, with the gear shifting rods 2, 2, of the transmission mechanism.

Pivvoted on and depending from the shift rod there are the arms 28 and 29, and Jthe arm bearings have spaced 'extensions 80, 30 and 81, 31, forming open sliding bearings which receive the respective yoltes 19 -and 20. rIhese arms 28 and 29 depend between the cam members 9, 9 and are actuated thereby and in turn actuate the yolzes 19 and 29 about the axiso'f the shift rod 25, which, in turn, operate the shift arms 26, 27, and thereby .shift the transr-nission gears. The arms 28, 29, arefreta'i-ned against lengthwise movement yon the rod 25.

Fastened to the side of the rack bar 12 there is a neutrali'ing bar 82 Whose rear end rests in, and ivorls 'through a long bearing.

notch 83 in theV upper side of the shift rod 25. Pivoted at `their forward ends to opposite .sides'of the bar 82 are the rearwardly nfidening, Wedge shaped dogs 84 whose free ends Yare upwardly beveled, as at 85. As the rack bar 12 vmoves forwardly and the cam members are opened up, or carried out of mesh, the neutralizing' bar 32 is carried forward, moving through the bearing notch 38, and the wedge shaped dogs, operating against the ends of the said bearing shift the rod 25 into what will be called neutral position.

On the steering Wheel there is a manual shift lever 86, which is rigidly connected to a lateral arm 87. rhere is a suitable pivoted bell crank having the arms 88 and 39. A link 40 is pivoted, at one end, tothe free end of the arm 37, at its other vend to the free end of the arm 88. Pivoted at one end to the free end of the arm 89, there is a transversely movable link 41, which Works through the guide 42 and Whose other endhas a bearing 43. .The forward end 44 of the neutralizing bar 32 is overturned and pivoted to said overturned end there is a shiftable rod 45 which Works through the bearing 43, and Whose rear end is downwardly turned forming a depending stud 46. A shift raclz 47 is pivoted between the plates 48, 48, Which form a housing for said rack. IThis rack has a forwardly extending arm 49 which Works through a bearing 50 in the corresponding end of the shift rod 25. The rear edge of the shift rack 47 pr jects rearwardly beyond the plates 48, and has 'he open bearings or notches as 51, a notch correspondingto each position of the transmission, that is yfor neutral, reverse and first, second and third speed ahead.

`When it is desired to change the gear ratio of the transmission mechanism to obtain any desired speed, or neutral, the lever 36 is moved correspondingly which Will operate through the mechanism described, to shift the rod 45 andcarry the stud 46 opposite the proper vnotchl to efectthe desired result.

neaese The pedal 6 is then depressed and this will operate, as described, first to disengage the clutch and then to open, or carry out of mesh, the cam members 9, 9. Meanwhile the `neutraliasing rod 25 will be shifted lengthwise, through the mechanism described, into neutral position. Thereupon the stud 46 Will engage in the opposing notch 51, and the shift'racli will be actuated to shift the rod 25 into position to obtain the desired gear selection. This movement of the racl; will be positively stopped by the engagement of the stud 46 vvith the rear edges of the plates 48. Upon release of the pedal the spring 18 will retract the rack bar 12 and nent 'i lizing bar 32, as Well as the rod 45. The rear ends of the dogs 84 are upwardly beveled so that, as retracted, if the bar 82 is ont of center of the bearing notch 88 the dog adjacent the near end of said bearing will ride up over. the rod 45 and drop bach into normal position, in alignment with the bar 82, when the dogs have been carried back to original, or inactive position. As the rack bar 12 is retracted, it will actuate the gear Wheels 10 and 11 and close the cam members 9 into intermeshing position, and as they are brought into this position they will actnate the arms 28, 29 to effect the desired shifting of the `transmission gears, through the yolies 28, 24, and the shift arms 26, 27 connected to said yoltes.

The forms of the cam members 9 are shown in Figure 1. lt may be stated, however, thatthey are so formed that when they close about the arms 28, 29, they effect certain relative movements of said arms, about the axis of the shift rod 25, said movements depending on the positions to which said arms have been previously moved, or shifted. And the cams are of such formation that they will actupon said arms 28, 29 'to bring about the desired combinations movement of them to elilect the various changes of the transmission gears to give the vai-ions gear connections for reverse, and first, second and third speed ahead, as Well as for neutral position of the transmission gears.

TWhat l claim is:

l. ln a gear shifting device, shift arms in operative connection with the gears to be shifted, shiftable members in operative connection with said arms, means adapted to actuate said members to effect relative movement of' said arms and means for moving said shiftable members into different positions in relation to said actuating means, and means, under the control ofthe oporator, for predetermining the operation of said moving means, and thr ugh which said positions may be selected.

2. ln a gear shifting device, shifting means in operative connection with, and adapted to move the gears to be shifted; shiftable `members in operative connection rio with said means; means adapted. to actuate said members to effect relative: movement of. said shifting means.; means for. movingn said.

sliiftable members intodifferent .positions in relation .to said actuating means; manu.- ally actuated mechanism.,forreleasing said actuating' means froinsaid shiftable inem- 8.111 a gear shifting device, shifting iiieans in operative connection with, and adapted to move the gears to be shifted; shiftable members in operative connection with said means; means adapted to actuate said members to effect relative movement of said shifting means; means for moving said shiftable members into different positions in relation to said actuating means; means un` der the control of the operator for predetermining the operation of said moving means and through which said positions of said members may be preselected; manuallv actuated mechanism for releasing said actuating means vfrom said shiftable members to permit the shifting of said members; means thereafter automatically operating said actuating means into operative engagement Witli said shiftable members to actuate the same and thereby shift the corresponding transmission gears.

e. lin a gear shifting device, shifting means in operative connection with, and adapted to move the gears to be shifted; shiftable members in operative connection With said means; means adapted to actuate said members to effect relative movement of said shifting means; means for moving said' sliiftable members into diiierent positions in relation to said actuating means; and means, under the control of the operator; for pre-determining the operation of said moving means and through which said positions of said members may be pre-selected.

5. In a gear shifting device, shifting means in operative connection with, and adapted to move the gears to be shifted; shift-able members in operative connection with said means; means adapted to actuate said members to eiiect relative movement of said shifting means; means for moving said shiftable members into different positions in .relation to said actuating means; manually actuated mechanism for releasing said actuating means from said shiftable members to permit the shittingv of said members; means thereafter automatically operating said actuating means into operative engage-ment with said shiftable members to actuate the same and thereby shift the corresponding transmission gears; and means, under the ccntrol of the operator for predetermining tliei..operation of/saidnn'ioving means andhl through. which. said .positions lot said shift Y.

relations, meansfor shifting .'saide'ars tol comprising gear shifting 4members inl oper-f ativevconnection with ksaid gears, sliiftable Vmembers. in operative connection With said gear shifting members, means adapted to actuate said shiftable members, toetfect relative movement of said gear shifting members, means for moving said shiftable members into different positions in relation to said actuating mea-ns, and controllable means for predetermining the operation of said moving means and through which said positions may be pre-selected.

7. A gear shifting device comprising gearing for establishing a plurality of driving relations, `means for shifting said gears to establish any of saidrelations, said means comprising a. clutch actuating pedal; gear shifting members in operative connection with said gears; shiftable members inl operative connection With said gear shifting members7 means adapted toactuate said shiftable members to effect relative. movement of said gear shifting members, means for moving said shiftable members into different positions in relation to said actuating means, means under the control of the operator for pre-determining the operation of said moving means, and through which said positions of said shiftable members may be pre-selected, operative connections between said pedal and said actuating means, and sliiftable members through which the operation of said `shaft through its cycle of movement operates to disengage the clutch to release said actuating means from said shiftable members to shift said shift-able. meinbers; and to operate said actuating means into operative relation With said shiftable members in succession.

8. A gear shifting device comprising gearing for establishing a. plurality of driving relations, shifting means in operative connection With, and adapted to move the gears to be shifted, shiftable members in operative connection with said means; means adapted to actuate said members to effect relative movements of saidsliifting means, means for moving said shiftable members into diiferent positions in relation to said actuating means, a clutch actuating pedal operatively connected to said actuating' means through Which the clutch may be first released and thereafter said actuating means released from said shift-able members to permit the shifting thereof; means thereafter automatically operating said actuating means into operative engagement With the shiftable members to actuate the same and` llO provided to operate .the shii'table members, manually operable means operatively .-con-y nected with said (actuating means and through themanual operationoi which the actuating means mayv be released .from said .shittable members to permit .the shifting thereof, said manually operable inea-ns being also operatively connected-With said shiftable .members and .operating to .shift 4said members; means for automatically operat- 'ing the actuating means, 'therebyoperating the shittable Amembers to. sliiftsaid gears, through the gear shifting means.

l0. A. gear shifting device .comprising gearing for establishing a lpluralityotl driving relations andnieans for shitting said gears to establish any otsaid relations, said means comprising gear shitting members operatively connected to said gears, shittable members in operative connection with said gear yshifting members, actuating means provided to operate the shiftable members, manually operable means operatively `connected with said actuating .means-and through the :manual :operation: of ivvhieh `the vactuating :means ymay lie zreleased..from said shiftable members :to :permit .theshiiting thereof, said manuallyoperablemeans being also operatively connected Awith `said vshittable members and operating *to shift said members; means Vfor automatically operating the actuating ineans,flthereby operating the. shiftable members to .shift said gears,

through the gearnshiiftingmeans and means, under the control .of the operator, :through `Which the position .to which saidshiitable members will be shifted, may :be .previously determined.

1l. A gear shifting device comprising gearing for establishing aplurality of driving relations,- aiid means for shifting said gears to establish anyof said relations,said n'ieanscomprising gear .shifting members in operative connection With thegears `to be shifted, shift-able members in' operative' connection With said gear shifting members; cams being adapted to` actuate said .shiftable .members .to effect relative movement of said geai..sliitting members; means for. movingsaid shiftable members into differenty positions 4.in rela-tion. .toi Asaid cams, yandmeans, controllableiby the operator tor predetermining the operation of said moving means and through which .said positions-oft' said members may be selected.

12. A gearv shifting device comprising gearing for establishing a plurality of driving relations, .and .means -for yshitting said gears :to .establish any. of said relations, said means comprising gear shitting members in operative.connection With the gears to be shifted,.shitable members in operative connectionfwith .said gea-r :shifting members; cams being adapted to actuate said shittable 1members lto effect .relative.movement.ot .said

.gearshitting members; means .for moving said shiitable members into diilferent positions in-relatioiito said cams; aI pedali; releasing vmeans operatively connected With said camsand. pedal, and provided to release .the cams from said. shiftablegmembers to fpermitthe shitting thereof, vsai-d releas- '.-in0'meaiis beinglconnected to .said-pedal so fthat-tlie'initial movementof `the pedal will f be ineffective to operatethe releasing means; meansconnected to aiidfoperated by the releasing means, `and operating to shift said .sliiftable members, means operating thereaifter to Vactuate saidcams intoengageinentvvith said vshiftable .member and operating lthe .same to shitt said gears through lsaid gear shifting members.

13, .A .gear .shifting device comprising gearing for establishing a plurality oit' driving relations and means for shifting said gearsto establish any of .said relations, x,aid means comprising gear shitting members in operativel connection with the l.gears to be shifted, Ashitable Amembers' in operative connectioneivith said gear shifting members,

cams adapted to actuate said shittable inembers `to effect relative Vmovement .ot .said gear shifting. members; means for moving said b. f shiftablev members lcinto. dierent positions in relation to..said.cams; and means under the` control of theoperator for Vpredeterii'iining the operatioiiotithe moving means and through which the positionsoftlie shiftable members, .in y'relation .to the cams, may be selected.

14. .A gear shitting device lcomprising ygearing orestablishing a plurality oi driving relations, and means for shitting said gears to establish any of said relations, said means comprising gear shiftingmembersin Aoperative connection withy the gears to be shifted', sliiftable members in ope ative con nection With said gear shifting members; cams being adapted to actuate said shittable members to effect: relative movement of said `gear .shifting Lmembers; -means for moving' Vsaid lshiittable members into different positions in relationito saidcams; a pedal.; -re- `leasing. means .operatively connected With said cams and pedal, and provided to re- .leasethecams from said shiftable members to permit the shitting thereof, said releasing means being connected to said pedal so that the initial movement of the pedal Will bc ineffective to operate the releasing means; means connected to and operated by the releasing means, and operating to shift said shitable members, means operating thereafter to actuate said cams into engagement with said shiitable member and operating the same to shiit't said gears through said gear shifting members; and means under the control of the operator through which the positions of the shiftable members, in relation to the cams, can be controlled.

l5. A gear shitting device comprising gearing for establishing a plurality of driving relations and means for shitting said gears to establish any of said relations, said means comprising the combination of a gear selective mechanism under the control ot the operator through Which said means may be operated to permit the selection of the desired driving relation, a gear selecting and clutch operating pedal, a gear shifting mechanism arranged to be actuated into operative position by said pedal; and means arranged to be actuated into active position by said pedal and through the operation of which the selected driving relation may be established.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER F. MOTTIER. 

